NC Wildlife: County bear sightings on rise

Published: Saturday, January 5, 2013 at 06:24 PM.

Isaac Hannah, an N.C. wildlife officer, said seeing bears is like seeing any other wild animal.

Most of the time they are passing through and pose no risks to humans.

Sometimes, people unintentionally attract the animals.

"People are seeing them usually for a reason," Hannah said. "Theres a food source, something's drawing them out to where they are."

He said trash cans, pet food and even bird feeders can attract black bears.

"Some things people can watch out for to prevent bears from coming around is keep trash up around their house. If you feed outdoor pets such as cats or dogs, keep the food contained and cleaned up. That's what's going to bring any wildlife around, any food."

Two weeks ago, Chance Ramsey was driving down Peach Street in Shelby when he saw what looked like a large dog near the BP Gas Station.

It wasn't until he got closer that he realized it was a bear.

"It was a young bear but looked old enough to just be leaving the care of its parents," Ramsey wrote in an email to The Star.

He said the large animal crossed the street "as calm as could be" and then walked off into the woods.

It was his first bear encounter.

Although black bears are not as commonly sighted in Cleveland County as they are in the Asheville or the Western Rutherford area, sightings are on the rise in the county.

"They're not plentiful in Cleveland County but they're gradually working their way in that direction," said Danny Ray, district biologist with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.

Ray said there are eight to 10 sightings a year.

And Ramsey's isn't the only bear sighting in the middle of Shelby.

'That's right here in the city'

Marguerite Mebane, president of the Cleveland County Humane Society, said she received a call Wednesday morning about a mother bear and cub spotted on Cabaniss Drive.

"That's right here in the city," Mebane said. "People need to be aware and steer clear."

On The Star's Facebook page, readers reported seeing the animals in the Boiling Springs area, off Stony Point Road and Fallston Road.

Ray said it's not unusual for humans and bears to cross paths. He said he has heard reports of bears in the middle of Charlotte, Gastonia and other large cities.

'People are seeing them usually for a reason'

Isaac Hannah, an N.C. wildlife officer, said seeing bears is like seeing any other wild animal.

Most of the time they are passing through and pose no risks to humans.

Sometimes, people unintentionally attract the animals.

"People are seeing them usually for a reason," Hannah said. "Theres a food source, something's drawing them out to where they are."

He said trash cans, pet food and even bird feeders can attract black bears.

"Some things people can watch out for to prevent bears from coming around is keep trash up around their house. If you feed outdoor pets such as cats or dogs, keep the food contained and cleaned up. That's what's going to bring any wildlife around, any food."

'Most bears are not going to be a problem'

Last year, Ray said the bear hunting season was opened up to the entire county, whereas in the past, it was limited to areas west of N.C. 18.

There are two separate bear seasons, with the first running from Oct. 15 through Nov. 17 and the second from Dec. 10 to Jan. 1.

On Christmas Day, Ray said Cleveland County hunters shot and killed a black bear in the Oak Grove community near Kings Mountain.

"A bear being in your backyard across a field, that's probably not a problem bear," Hannah said. "Most bears are not going to be a problem."

Ray said there has been a gradual population increase of black bears in the region, with the animals slowly moving in from South Carolina, the South Mountain corridor and the Appalachian chain.

Reach reporter Rebecca Clark at 704-669-3344 or rclark@shelbystar.com or follow on Twitter @TheStarRebecca.

ow to keep bears away

* Secure bags of trash inside cans stored in a garage, basement or other secure area.

* Place trash outside, as late as possible, on trash pick-up days — not the night before. Keep all garbage sites clean.

* If a bear is in the area, remove bird feeders and hummingbird feeders, even those advertised as “bear-proof.”

* Avoid “free-feeding” pets outdoors. Do not leave pet food out overnight. If you must feed pets outdoors, make sure all food is consumed and empty bowls are removed.

* Clean all food and grease from barbecue grills after each use. Bears are attracted to food odors and may investigate.

* Try repellents, but don’t rely on them if you already have a problem with a bear. There are no repellents that are registered for use on bears. Sprinkling ammonia or other strong disinfectants on garbage can mask the odor of food.

* Frighten the bear. Shouting, clapping, blasting a car horn or motion-sensitive lights may scare off a bear temporarily.

* Leave the bear alone. Crowds of people can unnerve a bear, causing it to act unpredictably. The crowd should disperse and allow the bear to move away, undisturbed.